11: The State Role in Coordinated School Health Programs

Even when all the pieces are put together to develop a successful CSHP, it still needs support from outside the school. The community and national organizations play a major role, but the state level really sets the guidelines and influence a program will have. The state legislature, governor, boards of education, education agencies, health official, state agencies, state courts, and nongovernmental players such as businesses, universities, foundations, and the media all are contributing factors to a CSHP. They all play a small roll in developing the importance of a CSHP, and have a major influence on the other. They all combine to form the importance that will be place on implementation, and evaluation on the program. The State can positively affect a CSHP by making objectives for all schools to meet in forming and following a program. It can make it much easier for a school health coordinator, when they have the support and the tools from the state. The State can find out what’s new, and continue to inform and build a solid supportive base for all schools to follow.
There is no doubt that the State is crucial for a successful CSHP. Everything that happens is revolved around the individuals that are formed from all the different areas the state has to offer. The more we can start having an affect on the individuals at the state level, the more we will start to develop healthy minded individuals from the school systems. These individuals will then take over these jobs and continue to improve health throughout the state. It all interconnects, and there are so many great health leaders out there that it will eventually all come around.